Poly beach for water pagent & fireworks

[johnnyr]

I was at the poly all day on the 4th. They were checking resort ID's at the pool and gave us wrist bands to wear. We were checked three times throughout the day. Went to eat at Kona at 7:30PM. While we were waiting for our table, we couldn't help notice the scores of people coming from the monorail headed for the beach. They had picnic baskets, blankets, food and everything else you could imagine. As far as I could see, they did not check ID's for the people arriving from outside the resort. The beach was crowded, but I can't say that there were any problems. We had a great view. People were spending money there, (bar, restraunts, gift shops) I don't see how they would turn down anyone from visiting the resort, even it it was 4th of July. It is money in the bank for them.

 

[baloo722]

she just never stops...i love it!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Eeyore1954
When did we lose the concept of "come and share the magic?"

I think if you pay for a dinner at O'Hanas you would not have a problem staying for the show. I would agree that it would be polite not to take the hammocks, swings.

If you are not having dinner the fireworks and water parade can be seen from the Ticket and Transportation Center and from the Boat dock at the Magic Kingdom. This way you can share the magic without enfringing upon the Magic someone else paid for.

If you pay the very high rates at the Polynesian and stay during one of these high occupancy nights and can't find a place to park or a place to sit to watch fireworks at your own resort, you will then understand the problem.

I am curious how many people think that it is ok to do this have stayed at the Polynesian and actually experienced the problem.

I do however agree Disney is one that needs to decide who it wants to please, the paying guest at the Polynesian that paid the high rates to have this experience, or the guest that is visiting for free.

I also agree that it used to be a few people that did this, but with guidebooks and Internet forums sharing this information, at times it has gotten out of control. It is almost like visiting resorts has become a form of entertainment.

 

[luvdisney14]

We have been to disney numerous times and new saw the water parade. We are staying at the swan does anyone know if we can take the boat from swan to magic kingdom dock and then watch the water pageant? If so what time is the pageant? Also, about how long is the pageant?

 

[susy]

When DH and I had dinner at Ohana back in March (we were staying at CSR), we saw the fireworks from our table. The beach and pool area very not crowded at all. The restaurants were busy. After and before dinner we did walk around the resort. I'm sure those who go to AKL for dinner walk around to the viewing areas to see the animals. I don't think Disney will do anything about this, but it would be nice if they did during the 4th at least. I really feel for thsoe who stay there and have to put up with that. During any other time, I can't see them saying anything. If you go to check out a resort and you are "thrown out", would you return for a stay?

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by luvdisney14
We have been to disney numerous times and new saw the water parade. We are staying at the swan does anyone know if we can take the boat from swan to magic kingdom dock and then watch the water pageant? If so what time is the pageant? Also, about how long is the pageant?

You can't take the boat from teh Swan to the MK dock.

You can take a bus and are certainly welcome to view the FEP from there. The pageant lasts about ten minutes or so. The time varies sesonally.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Susy--If I were politely informed that I needed to be a guest of a hotel to use the beach/pool/etc. I would apologize and leave. And yes, I would return as a guest, it would give me the incentive to stay there because I couldn't watch/swim otherwise. I wouldn't be at all offended.

Anne

 

[Debbie]

I consider myself a guest if I have eaten at 'Ohana or even shopped in their boutiques-which we do every visit. GF always has the best bargains. Shhh. I'm sure that that is supposed to be a secret, too! I have gone to watch the water parade from the beach at the GF and the Poly. Even in the summer, the beach was deserted, and it was a delightful 10 minutes. Since there was no one there, we used the swings and hammocks. The girls enjoyed themselves, and, Disney, I'm sure, knows that sometime in the future, we will spend the cash to stay at the GF or the Poly. Personally, I feel that Disney encourages people to tour their resorts for exactly that reason. It is economically advantageous for them to allow me that priveledge. Thankfully, it is Disney and their appointed CM's to whom I will bow.

 

[Uncle Scar]

I can see both sides, and basically it comes down to being considerate no matter your viewpoint.

I'm staying at the Polynesian, and don't have an issue with people coming to visit the resort....see the sights, walk the beach, or enjoy the surroundings. I'd like to do the same at other hotels on my upcoming trip. It will help me to evaluate if I'd like to stay at another resort.

If you do visit a resort, be considerate of the guests staying there. They have priority over you for using the amenities, because they have paid for it (not being elitest, just truthful). If you're staying at resort, understand that people are curious and want to enjoy the total Disney experience, which includes the resorts.

It's the abusers that get everyone upset. Those that don't want to pay for the deluxe resort, but will do everything to take advantage of them. Those that don't feel others shoud be allowed into THEIR resort....it's Disney's resort, not yours and they know best how to run it.

If you stay at a resort, you have a right to expect to enjoy its amenities before others that aren't staying there. Conversely, you also have a right to visit other resorts to enjoy the sites, without being intrusive. No matter your view, just treat others as you would want to be treated. A little consideration goes a long way.

Where you stay doesn't determine what type of a person you are or your status in life. It's just a matter of what best suits the vacation at the time.

Please remember that we are all here because of a love of Disney and wanting to share it with others. If we're considerate of each other (which I guess is a big feet these days), everything will be OK.

 

[skfulkers]

Ok, I have to jump in here.
If we go with the philosophy that resort property is for the exclusive use of paying resort guests staying at that particular resort, then how should I feel when I stay at the Boardwalk? We’ve stayed at this resort several times and enjoy it very much, but when we head out to onto the BW during the evening, there are many, many “non-resort” guests participating in activities at the resort. I’ve actually had to wait to rent a surrey because all the surreys were in use at the time (and I’m just guessing that some of these people were not BW resort guests). Does this bother me? No, because I realize that Disney encourages their guests to take advantage of the BW and all its dining and entertainment options, just as they also encourage their guests to take advantage of activities such as the Luau or Ohana’s or watercraft rentals from the Poly.
I agree with others that if Disney feels that this is a problem, they will do something to correct it.
Until then, I’ll probably still occasionally come over from my room at the BW to watch the FIS fireworks from the Poly beach and I may even steal a hammock.

 

[susy]

I would not ever use another resort's pool , but I don't think people walking around after they've eaten dinner there can even be "politely" asked to leave . I think we are talking of two different scenarios. People who take the monorail over to the Poly to impose on those guests and use their beach chairs or pool- that's rude. If asked to leave the resort (not using the pool or chairs, just walking around the common areas) after I've spent $100 on dinner and drinks, I would think it would be kind of "weird". However, I do think Disney should "secure" the resort for the 4th, New year's or anytime they choose. I would not consider it fair if I came from outside the resort and plopped myself down on their beach to watch the fireworks.
By the way, the view from Ohana is gorgeous and worth every penny!

 

[ducklite]

Susy--I don't think we're talking about walking around the common areas--at least I'm not. I think we're talking about using areas signed "exclusively for the use of Polynesian guests" such as on the beach and at the pool.

Particularly in the case of the beach, I don't see standing on the beach when there is no one around to see the fireworks or FEP as a problem. But when one is using these facilities marked as "exclusive" and they are not a guest of the resort, they need to have the utmost respect and courtesy for the resort guests. Offer seats, do not invade patio space, and during busy times pay attention to the signs and do not use the areas at all.

Anne

 

[Debbie]

Thank you, Uncle Scar, for such an eloquent and reasoned post. Considerate and understanding of the point of view of others. That is the key.

 

[pnelson]

Hey Uptight-oops, sorry, I meant to say Hey Ducklite,

Staying at a resort does not mean you have exclusive use of that resort and will always have a pool chair, beach chair or a table at a restaurant. It means you have a ROOM in that resort that is yours for the length of your stay. Disney resorts are open and others are welcome and even encouraged to sit in chairs, etc. If I was told to make myself at home on the beach by a CM, I do not feel I am being inconsiderate of a guest staying there because that guest does not have a chair to sit in. I would be inconsiderate if I were rude, obnoxious, or publicly drunk. I think you have the impression that because you are staying at a resort, you should always have a chair, etc available to you and be protected from the masses of unpaying people that may come to the resort and that is just not true.

 

[DrTomorrow]

pnelson, I've got a sincere question:

What areas, amenities and facilities of a Disney Deluxe Resort should be open and available for use without restriction to anyone who is not a paying guest at that resort? At one extreme, I bet that you and I agree that the public should not be allowed in someone's hotel room uninvited; at the other extreme, I'm sure that we agree that anyone should be allowed to eat in the resorts restaurants.

Note: I'm not asking what Disney's official (or implemented) policy is; I'm curious where you'd draw the line, if anywhere.

Thank you very much.

 

[baloo722]

although the previous question was not addressed to me,....how about anywhere you need a key for entry?

I (and I think most people on these boards from what i've read) see WDW as one big resort to be enjoyed by all the people at the resort. There are fewer who want there to be a strict separation of the classes dvc/deluxe/moderate/all-star.

 

[LvsTnk]

Nevermind

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by baloo722
although the previous question was not addressed to me,....how about anywhere you need a key for entry?

I (and I think most people on these boards from what i've read) see WDW as one big resort to be enjoyed by all the people at the resort. There are fewer who want there to be a strict separation of the classes dvc/deluxe/moderate/all-star.

Personally I wouldn't want it to be restricted by classes like dvc, deluxe, and so on. I do not think that staying at the GF gives one any more rights to the Poly pool then if you are staying at the WL and want to take a dip at the AS pool. It should only be divided by what hotel you have paid to stay at. I wouldn't have the guts to even ask for permission, let along pool hop to another hotel. I was brought up to pay for what I wish to use.

 

[DrTomorrow]

...how about anywhere you need a key for entry?

I find that interesting, in light of our stay at the Grand Californian (DL) last September. The pool complex - quieter pool, slide pool - was totally fenced in, and you did indeed need a room key to get in - there was a card reader at the gate. Also, the GC had it's own entrance to DCA, and we had to show our key to use that as well.

And I've read that the Polynesian Concierge longhouse has a room key requirement as well.

Come to think of it, we just got back from the Mirage (Las Vegas) and you had to show a key to get into the elevator lobbies (always at night, varied during the day, but they had blazered gents with earpieces standing guard 24/7) and you had to show a key to get into the pool. And their Spa (DW went) only accepted those who were registered guests at the hotel.

Perhaps a trend is forming; one that clearly draws a line as to who can utilize a resort's resources.

PS - I am interested in everyone's answer to my "where to draw the line" question; I'm really intregued by the wide range of assumptions here.

 

[Rafikifan]

Please let's not compare apples to oranges. This thread is about whether it's ok to walk to the beach at the Poly to watch the fireworks from the MK after dining in the Poly. I really respect everyone's opinions but this topic wasn't about pool hopping and patio stealing (mouth open that someone would do that by the way.)